With the holiday season in full swing, most people are looking forward to celebrating with their favorite sweets, traditions, and people—even if things look a little different this year! Our family dentists in Evanston have tips to help keep your teeth in good shape over the holidays.

Tip #1: Don’t use your teeth to open packages

No matter how excited you are about opening presents, it’s never a good idea to use your teeth as a tool. Many people experience chips, fractures, or more significant dental damage as a result of trying to open packages or bottles with their teeth. We recommend grabbing gift-opening supplies before getting started—it could save you a trip to the dentist over the holidays!

Tip #2: Avoid chewy, sticky snacks

As experienced dentists, we know that it’s not realistic to ask our patients to avoid candy altogether, especially around the holidays. Instead, we suggest avoiding snacks with certain textures that are particularly rough on teeth, such as taffy, caramel, hard candy, and peanut brittle. Snacks that are very sticky or tough to chew can loosen or dislodge dental work like fillings and crowns. Sticky candies can also linger on your teeth beyond a thorough brush, encouraging cavities.

Tip #3: Don’t bite your nails

Nail biting is a habit many people indulge in year-round, but for some increases around the holidays with anticipation and anxiety. Cutting back on this habit can help you avoid developing (or worsening) wear-and-tear on your teeth, jaw problems, or facial pain related to tooth grinding. When you feel the urge to chew on your nails, try to distract yourself! Some companies make bitter-tasting nail products to help curb this bad habit.

Tip #4: Keep up with brushing and flossing

Time flies when you’re having a good time. When you’re snuggled up on the couch with friends or family around the holidays, it may be tempting to let yourself drift off without taking care of your teeth. This is never a good idea—even for one night! We recommend taking care of your smile before settling in for a long movie to help avoid this problem.

Tip #5: Choose light-colored beverages

Red wine and pomegranate juice are two drinks that are often seen at holiday celebrations. Tasty as they may be, drinking them can contribute to stains on your teeth. If keeping your smile bright is important to you, opt for white wine, water, or another light-colored or clear beverage instead!



Visit Us for Restorative and Preventive Services

Stephens Dentistry is a family dentistry practice located in Evanston, IL. Our dentists provide a wide range of dental services, including cosmetic, restorative, and preventive services. We want to help you achieve your greatest dental health! Contact us today to schedule an appointment.

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